Flight operations have resumed at 32 airports across India after being temporarily suspended due to the military standoff between India and Pakistan earlier this month. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) confirmed in a press release on May 12 that all affected airports are now back in service.
That said, passengers planning to fly in or out of these airports are still being advised to check directly with their airline for the latest status updates.
The halt in civil flights, which started on May 9, disrupted travel plans across several northern and western regions, with airports like Srinagar, Jammu, Pathankot, and Amritsar among those closed. The move came shortly after border tensions escalated, prompting aviation authorities to take precautionary measures.
Flights remained grounded until May 15, with all civilian air traffic temporarily suspended through a series of Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) issued by AAI and other aviation bodies.
While operations are now getting back to normal, this doesn't necessarily mean that the situation is completely resolved. Aviation sources suggest that the reopening comes after a period of relative calm, but things could change quickly depending on developments at the border.
“Safety of passengers and operational staff remains our top priority,” said an AAI spokesperson, noting that all airports would continue to follow necessary safety protocols during the transition.
The week-long closure had a ripple effect—not just on flyers, but also on airport workers, airline staff, and local businesses relying on regular air traffic. The reopening of these hubs brings some much-needed relief, especially to those in regions heavily dependent on air connectivity.
However, travellers may still see some delays or last-minute changes as airlines catch up with the backlog and restore schedules.
Even though the runways are open again, the skies aren’t entirely clear—figuratively speaking. Tensions between India and Pakistan haven’t fully cooled off, and any future flare-ups could impact flight operations again.
So if you're planning to fly anytime soon, best keep tabs on your airline’s alerts. Things appear stable for now, but it’s anyone’s guess how long that will last.
